Fall is a wonderful time for ornamental grasses. One that has drawn attention at the Kemper Center for Home Gardening all summer has been Pennisetum 'Tift 10' FIRST KNIGHT. Its dark purple foliage is almost black and is striking by itself or in combination with other plants. It is not winter hardy in St. Louis but can be grown as an annual where it will grow 4-6 feet tall by the end of summer. In zones 7-11 it is perennial. It was the result of a planned breeding program at the University of Geo...

This winter, like most, seems to have been an ideal recipe for producing an abundance of winter annual weeds in cool season lawns throughout the Saint Louis area. As warmer days arrive these plants, which have been there all winter, will take off like weeds!

While the ornamental grasses are basically maintenance free, there are two maintenance chores associated with them, one of which is to divide the large clumps about every four years or so to reduce crowding and start new divisions if desired.